Peripheral access devices and sensors for use with vehicle telematics devices and systems

ABSTRACT

A telematics system is disclosed including a telematics device with a controller in communication with a diagnostic system configured to receive diagnostic information from a host vehicle; a position-locating system configured to determine location information of the host vehicle; a wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive information through a wireless network to and from at least one Internet-accessible website; and, a communication interface including at least a short range wireless interface. The telematics device is further configured to communicate with at least one access device or sensor other than the diagnostic system and the position-locating system, and the communication interface is configured to universally interface with a plurality of access devices or sensors.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/810,373, filed Mar. 26, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.7,228,211, which is (1) a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/431,947, filed May 8, 2003, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 6,957,133; and (2) a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/447,713, filed May 29, 2003, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 6,732,031, which is a continuation of prior U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/776,106, filed Feb. 1, 2001, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 6,636,790, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/220,986, filed Jul. 25, 2000, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/222,213, filed Aug. 1, 2000 and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/222,152, filed Aug. 1, 2000, The contents of theabove-listed applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally related to vehicle telematics. In variousembodiments, the invention more particularly relates to peripheraldevices operatively associated with vehicle telematics devices andsystems to perform many different functions.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles, such as light-duty cars and trucks and heavy-dutytractor/trailers, can include “telematics” systems that monitorinformation describing the vehicle's location and diagnostic conditions.Such telematics systems typically include a conventional globalpositioning system (“GPS”) that receives signals from orbitingsatellites and a processor that analyzes these signals to calculate aGPS “fix”. The fix, which features data such as the vehicle's latitude,longitude, altitude, heading, and velocity, typically describes thevehicle's location with an accuracy of about 10 meters or better.

Telematics systems can include circuitry that monitors the hostvehicle's diagnostic system. As an example of a diagnostic system,light-duty automobiles and trucks beginning with model year 1996 includean on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) system as mandated by the EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA). OBD-II systems typically operate under one ofthe following communication protocols: J1850 VPW (Ford); J1850 VPWM(General Motors); ISO 9141-2 (most Japanese and European vehicles);Keyword 2000 (some Mercedes and Hyundai vehicles); and CAN (a newerprotocol used by many vehicles manufactured after 2004). OBD-II systemsmonitor the vehicle's electrical, mechanical, and emissions systems andgenerate data that are processed by a vehicle's engine control unit(ECU) to detect malfunctions or deterioration in performance. The datatypically include parameters such as vehicle speed (VSS), engine speed(RPM), engine load (LOAD), and mass air flow (MAF). The ECU can alsogenerate diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), which are 5-digit codes (e.g.,“P0001”) indicating electrical or mechanical problems with the vehicle.Most vehicles manufactured after 1996 include a standardized, serial16-cavity connector (sometimes referred to herein as an “OBD-IIconnector”) that makes these data available. The OBD-II connectorserially communicates with the vehicle's ECU and typically liesunderneath the vehicle's dashboard.

Heavy-duty trucks typically include a diagnostic system, referred toherein as a “truck diagnostic system”, which is analogous to the OBD-IIsystems present in light-duty vehicles. Truck diagnostic systemstypically operate a communication protocol called J1708/J1587 or J1939that collects diagnostic information from sensors distributed in thetruck, processes this information, and then makes it available through a6 or 9-pin connector, referred to herein as a “truck diagnosticconnector”, which is usually located in the truck's interior.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The utility of the embodiments of the invention will be readilyappreciated and understood from consideration of the followingdescription when viewed in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an in-vehicle telematics devicefeaturing a wireless modem, GPS, vehicle-communication circuits, and aserial interface for connecting one or more peripheral devices,according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of the serial interface of FIG. 1connecting to peripheral devices including an LCD display and keyboard,a hands-free cellular phone kit, a panic button, a short-range wirelesstransmitter, and a secondary modem, according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a semi-schematic drawing of a vehicle's driver and passengercompartments, featuring an in-vehicle telematics device and a peripheraldevice, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a vehicle featuring a wirelessappliance that communicates with a GPS, a wireless communicationnetwork, and an Internet-accessible web site, according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5A is a semi-schematic drawing of an Internet-accessible web sitefeaturing, respectively, tabs for information relating to diagnostics,location, service records, and text messaging, according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5B is a semi-schematic drawing of an Internet-accessible web pagethat links to the web site of FIG. 5A and includes a user interface forsending and receiving text messages, according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a semi-schematic drawing of an Internet-accessible web pagethat links to the web site of FIG. 5A and displays a vehicle'sdiagnostic data monitored by the telematics system of FIG. 1, accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a semi-schematic drawing of an Internet-accessible web pagethat links to the web site of FIG. 5A and displays a vehicle's numericallatitude and longitude and a map showing the vehicle's locationmonitored by the telematics system of FIG. 1, according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a semi-schematic drawing of an Internet-accessible web pagethat links to the web site of FIG. 5A and displays a vehicle's servicerecords generated using a data management system for an automotivedealership, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing of the in-vehicle telematics devicefeaturing a wireless modem, GPS, vehicle-communication circuits, and ashort-range wireless transmitter, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing of the in-vehicle telematics devicefeaturing a single chipset-based that includes a wireless transmitter,position-locating module, memory, and a microprocessor,vehicle-communication circuits, and a voice interface for transmittingaudio information, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic system architecture illustrating various examplesof access devices that may communicate with a telematics device inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic system architecture illustrating various examplesof sensors that may communicate with a telematics device in accordancewith embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is an object of an embodiment of the invention to provide asmall-scale, wireless, internet-based telematics system for monitoringand analyzing a vehicle's GPS and diagnostic data. The embodiment of thesystem includes an in-vehicle telematics device that features a serialinterface to one or more peripheral devices, including but not limitedto the following: 1) liquid-crystal display (LCD) and keyboard;hands-free cellular telephone kit; 3) panic button; 4) short-rangewireless transmitter (e.g., a Bluetooth™ or 802.11b transmitter); and 5)a secondary modem (e.g. a satellite modem). In the embodiment, theperipheral devices, which may connect through the serial interface usinga universal connector, for example, expand the capabilities of thetelematics device to include, among other things, text messaging betweena driver and a fleet manager; operation of a cellular telephone in aconvenient “hands free” mode; notification of authorities in case ofemergency; short-range, high-speed data communication; and world-widewireless coverage. Embodiments of the invention also provide variousaccess devices and sensors as peripheral devices that operativelyinteract with in-vehicle telematics systems and devices to performvarious functions.

More specifically, in one embodiment, the invention provides anin-vehicle telematics system featuring: 1) a controller; 2) a diagnosticsystem configured to receive diagnostic information from a host vehicle;3) a position-locating system configured to determine the host vehicle'slocation information; 4) a communication interface configured to sendadditional information to a peripheral system other than the diagnosticposition-locating systems; and, 5) a wireless transmitter configured totransmit information through a wireless network to anInternet-accessible website.

In certain embodiments, the peripheral device can be a display, such asan LCD. In this case the controller features machine-readable computercode, e.g., firmware, which controls the display. For example, thecomputer code can be configured to render a text message on the display.The text message can be sent from the Internet-accessible website, orfrom a cellular telephone or a personal digital assistant (“PDA”).Preferably the display is configured to mount inside the vehicle. Invarious embodiments, the peripheral device may include a graphicsdisplay.

In other embodiments, the peripheral device features a voice interfacethat receives audio information and sends the information to thewireless transmitter. For example, the peripheral device can be ahands-free phone kit. The hands-free phone kit can contain a Bluetooth™transmitter configured to send information to and receive informationfrom a user's cellular telephone. Alternatively, the telematics deviceincludes the Bluetooth™ transmitter, e.g. it is mounted on an internalcircuit board. In still other embodiments, the peripheral device is ashort-range wireless transmitter, e.g. a transmitter operating aBluetooth™, 802.11, part-15, or infrared wireless protocol.

In another embodiment, the peripheral device includes a button (e.g. a“panic button”) that, when depressed, sends a signal through theinterface to the controller. Or the peripheral device can be a secondarywireless modem, such as a satellite modem. The interface used in thetelematics device may be a serial interface, such as an I²C, RS232,RS422, RS485, USB, CAN or SPI serial interface.

In an embodiment, the position-locating system may be a conventional GPS(that interprets satellite signals to determine location) or anetwork-assisted GPS (that interprets both satellite and terrestrialwireless signals to determine location). The controller may be amicrocontroller or a microprocessor, e.g., an ARM7 or ARM9microprocessor.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an in-vehicle telematicssystem that features a controller that runs machine-readable computercode configured to receive diagnostic information from a host vehicleand location information from a position-locating system. The controlleris additionally configured to receive and send information through aserial interface to a peripheral device other than the diagnostic andposition-locating systems. The telematics system uses a wirelesstransmitter to transmit diagnostic and location information through awireless network to an Internet-accessible website.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an in-vehicle telematicssystem that features the above-described components for determiningdiagnostic and location information combined with a voice interfaceconfigured to receive and transmit voice information.

In various embodiments, the same wireless transmitter transmits locationinformation through a wireless network to the Internet-accessiblewebsite, and voice information through the same wireless network to anexternal telephone. Here, the controller further comprises aspeech-recognition module, e.g., machine-readable computer code thatanalyzes a user's speech to determine a telephone number and othercommands.

In another embodiment of the invention, the telematics system features ahousing that covers the controller and the position-location system, andadditionally includes a port that connects to the external peripheralsystem. In this case, the system can include a cable or a wirelessinterface that sends information to and receives information from theexternal peripheral system.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the invention provides atelematics system that features a short-range wireless transmitter (e.g.a Bluetooth™ transmitter) configured to send information to an externalperipheral device, and a long-range wireless transmitter (e.g. acellular modem) configured to transmit information through a wirelessnetwork to an Internet-accessible website.

Various embodiments of the invention have many advantages. Inparticular, with various embodiments of the invention described herein,different peripheral devices can easily and quickly connect to thetelematics device through its serial interface. This means a user canadd valuable functionality to the telematics device, and optimize thedevice for a particular application, in a matter of minutes. Forexample, using the serial interface, the user can add a simple, LCDdisplay and keyboard. With this, drivers and fleet managers cancommunicate with text messages to optimize the fleet's efficiency. Or ahands-free cellular telephone kit (e.g., a kit featuring a Bluetooth™module or cradle) can connect through the serial interface to give adriver a safe, convenient way to place cellular phone calls. To evenfurther enhance safety and security, a peripheral device featuring apanic button can connect through the serial interface. Depressing thepanic button automatically sends a message to, e.g., a call center, thatin turn would notify the appropriate authorities. Peripheral devicesrunning a Bluetooth™ or 802.11b wireless protocol can quickly send largeamounts of information (e.g., diagnostic information collected andstored over long periods of time) to a proximal hub. And a peripheraldevice featuring a secondary modem, such as a satellite, GSM/GPRS orCDMA modern, can transmit and receive information in regions in whichthe primary modem may not operate.

These features, made possible by the serial interface, complement basicadvantages provided by the telematics system. For example, embodimentsof this system provide wireless, real-time transmission and analysis ofGPS and diagnostic data, followed by analysis and display of these datausing an Internet-hosted web site. This makes it possible tocharacterize the vehicle's performance and determine its location inreal-time from virtually any location that has Internet access, providedthe vehicle being tested includes the below-described telematics system.This information is complementary and, when analyzed together, canimprove conventional services such as roadside assistance, vehicle theftnotification and recovery, and remote diagnostics. For example, theinformation can indicate a vehicle's location, its fuel level andbattery voltage, and whether or not it has any active DTCs. Using thisinformation, a call center can dispatch a tow truck with the appropriatematerials (e.g., extra gasoline or tools required to repair a specificproblem) to repair the vehicle accordingly.

Embodiments of the present invention may be useful in a wide range ofvehicles. Examples of such vehicles include automobiles and trucks, aswell as commercial equipment, medium and heavy-duty trucks, constructionvehicles (e.g., front-end loaders, bulldozers, forklifts), powered sportvehicles (e.g., motorboats, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles,snowmobiles, jet skis, and other powered sport vehicles), collisionrepair vehicles, marine vehicles, and recreational vehicles. Further,embodiments may be useful in the vehicle care industry.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show schematic drawings of a small-scale telematics device13 according to an embodiment of the invention that monitors diagnosticand location-based data from a host vehicle and wirelessly transmitsthese data to an Internet-accessible website. The telematics device 13features a serial interface 35 that connects to peripheral devices,described in detail below. The serial interface 35 features a connectorthat mates with an associated connector that is universal to eachperipheral device. The telematics device 13 runs firmware, described inmore detail below, that recognizes the peripheral device and seriallycommunicates with it so that information can pass across the serialinterface 35. The serial interface 35 additionally supplies power andground so that the peripheral device does not require an additionalpower supply to operate.

Referring to FIG. 2, for example, peripheral devices according to anembodiment of the invention may include: 1) LCD and keyboard 36 a forsending, receiving, and displaying text messages; 2) a hands-freecellular phone kit and voice interface 36 b for safe, convenient voicecommunications; 3) a panic button 36 c for sending a short, automatedmessage and location in case of emergency; 4) a short-range,high-bandwidth wireless transmitter 36 d operating “Bluetooth” or802.11b technology; or 5) a secondary modem 36 e, e.g., a cellular orsatellite modem.

In addition to the serial interface to peripheral devices 35, thetelematics device 13 may feature: 1) a data-generating portion 15 thatgenerates both diagnostic and location-based data; 2) a data-processingportion 17 that processes and wirelessly transmits information; and 3) apower-management portion 19 that supplies power to each circuit elementin the device 13.

The circuit elements in each portion 15, 17, 19 may be integrated intosmall-scale, silicon-based microelectronic devices (e.g., ASICs). Thismeans the entire telematics device 13 may be incorporated into a single“chip set”, described by a reference design, thereby reducing its size,manufacturing costs, and potential post-installation failures.

The data-generating portion 15 may feature a GPS module 20 that receiveswireless signals from orbiting GPS satellites through an integrated GPSantenna 21. Once the antenna 21 receives signals from at least threesatellites, the GPS module 20 processes them to calculate a GPS “fix”that includes the host vehicle's location-based data, e.g. latitude,longitude, altitude, heading, and velocity. The GPS module 20 calculateslocation-based data at a programmable interval, e.g., every minute.

The data-generating portion 15 may communicate with the host vehiclethrough an electrical/mechanical interface 23 that connects to thevehicle's diagnostic connector. As described above, for light-dutyvehicles, this connector is an EPA-mandated 16-cavity connector,referred to herein as the OBD-II connector. For heavy-duty trucks, thisconnector is either a 6 or 9-pin connector, referred to herein as thetruck diagnostic connector.

The OBD-II or truck diagnostic connector, may be located underneath thevehicle's steering column, provides direct access to diagnostic datastored in memory in the vehicle's ECU. The entire vehicle-communicationcircuit 25 manages communication through the electrical/mechanicalinterface 23 with separate modules 25 a-25 e for different vehicle buses(e.g., those featured in Ford, GM, Toyota, and heavy-duty trucks). Eachmodule 25 a-25 e is a separate circuit within the vehicle-communicationcircuit 25. These circuits, for example, can be integrated into anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or can be included asdiscrete circuits processed on a printed circuit board.

The vehicle-communication circuit additionally may include logic thatdetects the communication protocol of the host vehicle, and then selectsthis protocol to communicate with the vehicle. Once the protocol isselected, the electrical/mechanical interface 23 receives diagnosticdata from the vehicle according to a serial protocol dictated by theappropriate vehicle-communication circuit 25. The electrical/mechanicalinterface 23 passes this information to the data-processing portion 17for analysis and wireless transmission.

The data-processing portion 17 may feature a 16-bit ARM7 microprocessor27 that manages communication with each external peripheral device,along with the different elements of the data-generating portion 15. Fora peripheral device featuring an LCD display and keyboard, for example,the microprocessor runs firmware that receives and processes an incomingtext message, and then displays this text message on the LCD.Conversely, the microprocessor 27 interprets keystrokes from thekeyboard, formulates these into a message, and transmits the messagethrough a wireless network, as described in more detail below.

The microprocessor 27 additionally receives and processes diagnosticinformation from the data-communication circuit 25 and location-basedinformation from the GPS module 20. For example, the microprocessor 27can process diagnostic data describing the host vehicle's speed, massair flow, and malfunction indicator light to calculate, respectively, anodometer reading, fuel efficiency, and emission status. Thesecalculations are described in more detail in patent applicationsentitled “Internet-Based Method for Determining a Vehicle's FuelEfficiency” (U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,579) and “Wireless Diagnostic Systemfor Characterizing a Vehicle's Exhaust Emissions” (U.S. Pat. No.6,604,033), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The microprocessor 27 may store firmware, pre-processed diagnostic data,and/or post-processed diagnostic data in a memory module 29. The memorymodule 29 also stores a file-managing operating system (e.g., Linux)that runs on the microprocessor 27. During operation, the memory module29 can additionally function as a “data logger” where both diagnosticand location-based data are captured at high rates (e.g., every 200milliseconds) and then read out at a later time.

With firmware the microprocessor 27 formats information into uniquepackets and serially transfers these packets to a wireless modem 31.Each formatted packet includes, e.g., a header that describes itsdestination and the wireless modem's numerical identity (e.g., its“phone number”) and a payload that includes the information. Forexample, the packets can include diagnostic or location information, atext message, a short message generated from a panic button thatindicates a problem with the user or vehicle. The wireless modem 31operates on a wireless network (e.g., CDMA, GSM, GPRS, Mobitex, DataTac,ORBCOMM) and transmits the packets through an antenna 33 to the network.The antenna 33 can be an external antenna, or can be embedded into acircuit board or mechanical housing that supports the wireless modem 31.Once transmitted, the packets propagate through the network, whichdelivers them to an Internet-accessible website, as described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 5. In various embodiments, the wirelessmodem 31 may include or be operatively associated with a wirelesstransceiver for transmitting or receiving communicated data or otherinformation to/from a given telematics device or system.

The power-management portion 19 of the wireless appliance 13 features apower supply and power-conditioning electronics 39 that receive powerfrom the electrical/mechanical interface 23 and, in turn, supplyregulated DC power to circuit elements in the data-generating 15 anddata-processing 17 portions, and through the serial interface 35 to theconnected peripheral device. In this application, the power-managementportion may switch 12 to 14 volts from the vehicle's battery to a lowervoltage, e.g., 3.3 to 5 volts, to power the circuit elements and theconnected peripheral device. The mechanical interface 23, in turn,attaches to the host vehicle's diagnostic connector, which receivespower directly from the vehicle's standard 12-volt battery. An internalbattery 41 connects to the power supply and power-conditioningelectronics 39 and supplies power in case the telematics device isdisconnected from the vehicle's power-supplying diagnostic connector.Additionally, the power supply and power-conditioning electronics 39continually recharge the internal battery 41 so that it can supplyback-up power even after extended use.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment that shows the serialinterface 35 connected to a variety of peripheral devices 36 a-e. Table1 describes some of the possible peripheral devices 36 a-e, thecorresponding parameters that are received or transmitted through theserial interface, and the potential applications of these devices. Theserial interface supplies power and ground to each peripheral device.For some devices, such as for a hands-free phone kit, these are the onlyparameters supplied by the serial interface. In this case, the phone kitconnects to a user's cellular telephone, which in turn transmits andreceives voice calls. In other cases, such as for the LCD and keyboardand secondary modem, the serial interface additionally supplies andreceives information (e.g., diagnostic or location information, textmessages).

Table 1 is not meant to be exhaustive, and thus peripheral devices notdescribed therein may also connect to the telematics device.

Transmitted/Received Device Serial Information Application LCD andkeyboard location, diagnostics, fleet management text messageshands-free none voice calls cellular phone kit panic button location,diagnostics, vehicle emergency bit stream high-bandwidth location,diagnostics, vehicle repair; short-range text messages data miningtransmitter secondary modem location, diagnostics, fleet management;text messages stolen-vehicle recovery; diagnosticsAs shown, Table 1 includes examples of various peripheral devices, theparameters they receive or transmit through the serial interface, andtheir potential applications.

Each of the peripheral devices 36 a-e listed in Table 1 may connect tothe telematics device using a standard, 4-pin connector attached to acable. The connector and cable are designed so to be uniform so that anydevice that transmits or receives information can connect to and operatewith the telematics device. As described above, the pins in theconnector supply power, ground, and a serial communication interfacethat passes information between the telematics device and the peripheraldevice. The serial interface 35 is controlled by a microprocessor (e.g.,an ARM 7 shown in FIG. 1) operating within the telematics device. TheARM 7 runs firmware that recognizes the connected peripheral device, asdescribed in more detail below, and subsequently powers up and beginscommunicating with the device upon installation.

The serial link for connecting peripheral devices to the serialinterface 35 may be a conventional I²C bus connected through a 4-pinconnection. I²C is a 2-wire, synchronous serial communication interfacedeveloped by Phillips Semiconductor. With this interface, two wires,serial data (SDA) and serial clock (SCL), carry information between theperipheral device and the telematics device. According to I²C, each byteof information put on the SDA line must be 8-bits long, but the numberof bytes transmitted per transfer is unrestricted. Using I²C, theperipheral device can operate as either a transmitter or receiver. TheARM7 microprocessor controls this connection with an I²C transceiverthat may be integrated into its circuitry.

Both SDA and SCL are bi-directional lines and connect to a positivesupply voltage through a pull-up resistor (which may be between 4.7 kand 10 k). When the bus is free, both lines are high. Each peripheraldevice connected through I²C provides a unique address (generated by,e.g., an EEPROM, RTC or I/O expander) that is recognized by thetelematics device. This means, following installation, the telematicsdevice can recognize the attached peripheral device and begin operationwithout any input from the installer. I²C is described in more detailin: http://www.philipslogic.com, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIG. 3 of an embodiment shows a schematic drawing of a vehicle 12 thathosts a telematics device 13 that connects to a peripheral device 36through a cable 37 and serial interface 35. In this application, theperipheral device 36 is a LCD and keyboard mounted on the vehicle'sdashboard 38. Once connected during an installation process, theperipheral device 36 transmits a numerical address through the cable 37to the serial interface 35. A microprocessor in the telematics deviceinterprets the address to recognize the peripheral device, and thenbegins to communicate.

The telematics device 13 may be installed under the vehicle's dash 38and is not visible to the user. As described above, the telematicsdevice 13 may connect to an OBD-II connector 34 in the vehicle 12through a wiring harness 32, and is not in the driver's view. The OBD-IIconnector 34 powers the telematics device 13 and additionally provides aserial interface to the vehicle's engine computer. Through thisinterface the telematics device receives diagnostic information from thevehicle's OBD-II system, as is described in detail in theabove-referenced patents, the contents of which have been incorporatedby reference.

The telematics device 13 receives GPS signals from an antenna 21 mountedin a region, sometimes called the “A pillar”, located proximal to thevehicle's windshield 41. These signals are interpreted by the device andconverted into GPS information, e.g. latitude, longitude, altitude,speed, and heading, by a GPS module included in the telematics device.The telematics device transmits GPS and diagnostic information asseparate packets through a radio antenna 33, located near the GPSantenna in the vehicle's A pillar, and to a wireless network (e.g.,Cingular's Mobitex network). The radio antenna 33 is matched to afrequency supported by the wireless network (e.g., approximately 900 MHzfor the Mobitex network). A cabling rig 39 connects both the radio 33and GPS 21 antennae to the telematics device 13.

The LCD and keyboard, for example, are installed on a front portion ofthe dash 38 and below the windshield 41, and are positioned so that thedriver can easily view messages on the display. Messages can be used forgeneral fleet management, e.g., to notify a fleet manager that a job hasbeen completed, or to schedule an appointment with a customer. In thiscase, the radio antenna 33 is additionally used to receive and transmittext messages through the wireless network.

FIG. 4 of an embodiment shows a schematic drawing of a telematics system52 that uses the above-described telematics device 13 to monitordiagnostic and location-based information, and a peripheral device 36(e.g., an LCD and keyboard) to, for example, display text messages. Afleet manager would use this system, for example, to manage a collectionof drivers. The telematics device 13 and peripheral device 36 areinstalled in a host vehicle 12 as described above. During operation, thetelematics device 13 retrieves and formats diagnostic and GPSinformation and text messages in separate packets and transmits thesepackets over an airlink 59 to a base station 61 included in a wirelessnetwork 54. The packets propagate through the wireless network 54 to agateway software piece 55 running on a host computer system 57. The hostcomputer system processes and stores information from the packets in adatabase 63 using the gateway software piece 55. The host computersystem 57 additionally hosts a web site 66 that, once accessed, displaysthe information. A user (e.g. an individual working for a call center)accesses the web site 66 with a secondary computer system 69 through theInternet 67. The host computer system 57 includes a data-processingcomponent 68 that analyzes the location and diagnostic information asdescribed in more detail below.

The host computer system 57 also includes a text messaging-processingcomponent 70 that processes text messages as described in more detailbelow. Once received by the vehicle, the peripheral device (i.e. and LCDand keyboard) displays the messages for the driver, and additionallyallows the driver to send messages back to the fleet manager.

FIG. 5A of an embodiment shows an Internet-accessible web page 66 a thatallows, e.g., a fleet manager to view GPS and diagnostic information, aswell as text messages, for each vehicle in the fleet. The web page 66 aconnects to the text messaging-processing software component shown inFIG. 4. It would be used, for example, in combination with a vehiclefeaturing a telematics device and LCD/keyboard peripheral device, suchas that shown in FIG. 3.

The web page 66 a features tabs 42 a-d that link to secondary web pagesthat display, respectively, vehicle diagnostic information, GPSinformation and mapping, service records, and text messaging. Each ofthese web pages is described in detail below.

FIG. 5B of an embodiment, for example, shows a simplified web page 66 bthat renders when a user clicks the tab 42 d labeled “Text Messaging” inthe website shown in FIG. 5A. The web page 66 b features a window 43wherein the fleet manager can type in a text message that is then sentthrough the wireless network and displayed on an LCD for the driver of aparticular vehicle. The web page 66 b includes a field 44 that listsstandard components of the text message, i.e. the destination of thetext message, the sender, and the subject of the message. Duringoperation, the fleet manager types the message in the window andwirelessly transmits it to the driver by clicking the “Send” button 46.Similarly, the fleet manager receives incoming text messages in thewindow 43 by clicking the “Receive” button 48.

The web page 66 b shown in FIG. 5B may contain functionality that isconsistent with state-of-the-art text messaging software. For example,these pages can link to additional web pages that include softwaresystems for managing the text messages. These software systems includefile-management systems for storing and managing incoming and outgoingmessages; systems for sending messages to multiple vehicles in thefleet; systems for tracking the status of a message; systems for storingdraft and standard, formatted messages (e.g., maps, directions, andstandard responses); systems for sending standard messages; and systemsfor porting information from messages to other applications (using,e.g., Web Services software packages). Other message-processing systemsare also within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 6 of an embodiment shows a web page 66 c that renders when a userclicks the “Diagnostics” tab 42 a on the website shown in FIG. 5A. Theweb page 66 c displays diagnostic data collected from the ECU of aparticular vehicle as described above. The web page 66 c includes a setof diagnostic data 131 and features fields listing an acronym 132, valueand units 134, and brief description 136 for each datum. The web page 66c also includes graphs 138, 139 that plot selected diagnostic data in atime-dependent (graph 139) and histogram (graph 138) formats. Othermethods for displaying and processing the diagnostic data are alsowithin the scope of the invention.

During operation of an embodiment, the in-vehicle telematics deviceautomatically transmits a set of diagnostic data 131 at a periodicinterval, e.g. every 20 to 40 minutes. The telematics device can alsotransmit similar data sets at random time intervals in response to aquery from the host computer system (sometimes called a “ping”).

Detailed descriptions of these data, and how they can be furtheranalyzed and displayed, are provided in the following patents, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference: “WirelessDiagnostic System and Method for Monitoring Vehicles” (U.S. Pat. No.6,636,790); and, “Internet-Based Vehicle-Diagnostic System” (U.S. Pat.No. 6,611,740).

FIG. 7 of an embodiment shows a web page 66 d that renders when a userclicks the “Mapping” tab 42 b on the website shown in FIG. 5A. The webpage 66 d displays, respectively, GPS data 154 and a map 158 thattogether indicate a vehicle's location. In this case, the GPS data 154include the time and date, the vehicle's latitude, longitude, a “reversegeocode” of these data indicating a corresponding street address, thenearest cross street, and a status of the vehicle's ignition (i.e., “on”or “off” and whether or not the vehicle is parked or moving). The map158 displays these coordinates in a graphical form relative to an areaof, in this case, a few square miles. In some embodiments, the web page66 d is rendered each time the GPS data are periodically transmittedfrom a vehicle (e.g., every 1-2 minutes) and received by thedata-processing component of the website.

Both the map and a database that translates the latitude and longitudeinto a reverse geocode are hosted by an external computer server and areaccessible though an Internet-based protocol, e.g. XML, Web Services, orTCP/IP. Companies such as MapTuit, MapQuest, and NavTech host softwarethat provides maps and databases such as these. Methods for processinglocation-based data, taken alone or in combination with diagnostic data,are described in detail in the patent application “Wireless,Internet-Based System for Transmitting and Analyzing GPS Data” (U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/301,010), the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 8 of an embodiment shows a web page 66 e that renders when a userclicks the “Service Records” tab 42 c on the website shown in FIG. 5A.The web page 66 e displays, respectively, a list of service records 164for a particular vehicle, and an individual service record 168 thatdescribes a particular example of how the vehicle was repaired. The listof service record 164 shows: 1) the date of the service; 2) a work ordernumber; and, 3) the company providing the service. In addition to thisinformation, the individual service record 168 describes: 1) the type ofservice; 2) the mechanic that completed the service; 3) the cost of theservice; 4) the mileage on the vehicle at the time of the service; and5) a few comments describing the service.

To display service records like those shown in FIG. 8, the host computersystem of an embodiment of the present invention may interface with adata-management system that runs of a computer system at an automotivedealership. Such a system, for example, is the ERA software systemdeveloped and marketed by Reynolds and Reynolds, based in Dayton, Ohio.Systems like ERA transfer service records to the host computer systemthrough a variety of means. These include, for example, XML, XML-basedWeb Services, file transfer protocol (FTP), and email.

The web page can also show service records describing service performedby organizations other than an automotive dealership, e.g., by thevehicle owner or another entity (e.g., Jiffy Lube). These records may beentered by hand into a web page similar to that shown in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 9 and 10 describe alternate embodiments of the invention. Theseembodiments are based on the telematics device shown in FIG. 1, butinclude additional hardware components that add functionality to thedevice. For example, FIG. 9 shows a telematics device 201, similar tothe device shown in FIG. 1, which additionally includes a short-rangewireless transmitter 200 that sends diagnostic, location, and otherinformation to a remote receiver. The short-range wireless transmitter200 can be a stand-alone module that attaches to the same circuit boardused to support all the components shown in FIG. 9. The remote receivercan be one of the external peripheral devices (such as a display) shownabove, or can be a device such as an automotive scan tool, computersystem, cellular phone, or PDA. The short-range wireless transmitter 200may be a high-bandwidth transmitter, e.g., a transmitter usingBluetooth™ or 802.11b technology. Alternatively, the short-rangewireless transmitter can be a low-bandwidth transmitter, e.g. atransmitter using part-15, infrared, or other optical technology.

FIG. 10 shows alternate embodiments of the telematics device 202featuring a single chipset 225 that performs multiple functions. Thechipset 225, for example, includes a wireless transmitter 231, an ARMmicroprocessor 227 (which may be an ARM7 or ARM9), a memory module 229,and a position-locating module 220. Each of these components isintegrated directly into silicon-based systems on the chipset 225. Thecomponents connect to each other through metallization layers in thechipset 225. In addition, the chipset 225 connects to a voice-interfacemodule 210 (e.g., a hands-free interface, including a microphone and aspeaker) that receives audio input (e.g. a user's voice) and sends thisthrough the chipset 225 to the wireless transmitter 231 fortransmission.

The chipset 225 often runs firmware, stored in the memory module 229 andrun on the microprocessor 227, that performs simple voice recognition sothat a user can initiate a call, search for and dial a telephone number,and then end a call, all without touching the device. In this capacitythe telematics device 202 operates like a cellular telephone integratedwith a hands-free phone kit. The wireless transmitter 231 may thereforeinclude a high-bandwidth transmitter, e.g., a transmitter that operateson a CDMA or GSM network. Chipsets such as those manufactured byQualcomm, e.g., the MSM6025, MSM6050, and the MSM6500, include suchwireless transmitters, and can therefore be used in the presentinvention. These chipsets are described and compared in detail in thefollowing website: http://www.qualcomm.com. The MSM6025 and MSM6050chipsets operate on both CDMA cellular and CDMA PCS wireless networks,while the MSM6500 operates on these networks and GSM wireless networks.In addition to circuit-switched voice calls, the wireless transmitter231 can transmit data in the form of packets at speeds up to 307 kbps inmobile environments.

The chipset 225 shown in FIG. 10 determines a location of the hostvehicle using the position-locating module 220. In particular, thechipsets described herein may use a position-locating technologydeveloped by Qualcomm called Snap Track/GPSone™, which operates a“network assisted” GPS technology. Snap Track/GPSone™ operates bycollecting GPS signals from overlying satellites (like a conventionalGPS) and radio signals transmitted from an individual wirelesstransmitter and base stations (which have known, stationary locations)included in a cellular or PCS wireless network. This information is sentto a position determining entity (“PDE”), which may be typically locatedin the wireless network and processes the information to calculate anaccurate location (e.g., latitude, longitude, and altitude) of thewireless transmitter. Once this information is calculated, the PDE andsends the position back to the wireless transmitter, where thetelematics device processes it as described above.

In addition to the above described functions, the chipsets may includemodules that support the following applications: playing music and videorecordings; recording and replaying audio information; processing imagesfrom digital cameras; playing video games; and driving color andblack-and-white displays. Each of these applications can be thereforeintegrated into the various telematics devices and systems describedherein.

In various embodiments, and with general reference to FIGS. 11 and 12,one or more types of access devices 1102 and/or one or more types ofsensors 1104 may be employed in operative association with one or morevehicle 1101 telematics devices and/or systems 1106, examples of whichare described herein. The access devices 1102 may be used as externalperipheral devices which are configured for communication with thetelematics device 1106 through one or more different types ofcommunication interfaces 1108. Examples of the communication interfaces1108 include a serial communication interface 1108A (e.g., I²C, RS232,RS422, RS485, USB, CAN, SPI, or others), a short range wirelessinterface 1108B (e.g., transceivers using “Bluetooth” technology,802.11a/b/g standard communications, 802.24 standard communications,802.32 standard communications, “ZigBee” technology, and/or “Wi-Fi”technology, among many others), and/or other communication interfaces1108C (e.g., parallel port) suitable for sending or receiving databetween the access devices 1102 and the telematics device 1106.

As discussed in more detail herein, data communicated between thetelematics device 1106 and the access devices 1102 and/or the sensors1104 may be used to control functions of the devices 1102, 1106 or thevehicle 1101; retrieve or store data; report a detected behavior,condition or characteristic of a device, system, machine, or implement;and/or for a variety of other purposes. In various embodiments, theaccess devices 1102 and/or sensors 1104 may be equipped or configuredfor wireless communication, wireline communication, or may have acombination of wireless/wireline capabilities.

In various embodiments, the access devices 1102 and/or sensors 1104described herein may be installed by an original equipment manufacturer(“OEM”), such as during production of a vehicle 1101, for example, orduring initial installation of a telematics device 1106 into the vehicle1101. Thus, the access devices 1102 and/or sensors 1104 may be installedin operative association with the vehicle 1101 as original equipmentmanufacturer components. In certain embodiments, the access devices 1102and/or sensors 1104 described herein may be installed or used inassociation with the telematics device 1106 in an “after market”setting, such as after a vehicle 1101 has been produced and deployed fora period of time. For example, access devices 1102 and/or sensors 1104may be installed as after market components on a fleet of vehicles 1101,such as a group of school buses, a fleet of tanker trucks used totransport goods, or a fleet of rental vehicles.

As shown, the access devices 1102 may include, for example and withoutlimitation: telephones (e.g., wireless phones, wireline phones, cellularphones) 1102A; Internet-enabled phones 1102B; smart phones 1102C;cameras 1102D (e.g., video cameras, digital cameras, web-enabledcameras, Internet protocol video cameras, digital video cameras (stilland motion) for obtaining real-time images, camcorders, etc.), personalcomputer systems 1102E, laptops 1102F, personal digital assistants(PDAs) 1102G, pagers 1102H, displays 1102I (e.g., LCD displays), and/ora variety of other access, display or control devices which can beconfigured for communication with the telematics device 1106.

Other examples of access devices 1102 that may be configured tointerface or communicate with the telematics device 1106 includebreathalyzer interfaces 1102J; interfaces to in-vehicle video capturedevices 1102K, such as may be used by various law enforcement entities;audio capture devices 1102L (e.g., microphone input); signature pads1102M for electronic signature capture; active and/or passive RFIDscanner technology 1102N; access point or interface for wirelesscommunications 1102O (e.g., 802.11 “hot-spot”); WiFi cameras,telephones, handsets, or other WiFi-enabled devices 1102P;ultra-wide-band (“UWB”) hubs 1102Q; USB cameras, telephones, handsets(audio), or other USB-enabled devices 1102R; identification systems1102S including card swipe functionality, keypad, biometrics, or barcodereaders, such as for identifying or recording vehicle 1101 drivers,cargo contents, deliveries, service calls, and/or other events;collision avoidance devices 1102W; obstacle avoidance devices 1102X;and/or a variety of other suitable types of access devices 1102.

It can be appreciated that the access device 1102 may be any device orappliance that provides one or more of a graphical component, akeyboard, a terminal, or other functionality that permits access to andcommunication with the telematics device 1106 in the vehicle 1101. Theaccess device 1102, through the communication interface 1108 acting as abridge, may be used to tap into the existing computing power, datacollection capabilities, and/or connectivity functionality of thetelematics device 1106.

In certain embodiments, one or more of the access devices 1102 may beconfigured for voice-over-Internet-protocol (“VoIP”) communicationsthrough an Internet, HTTP protocol, or other type of networked mediumcommunication connection established through the telematics device 1106.For example, a cellular phone 1102A may be used to place a VoIP callthrough wireless communication with the telematics device 1106 throughthe short range wireless interface 1108B. In another example, a handsetfor a wireline phone 1102A may be electrically wired and/or mechanicallyconnected to the telematics device 1106 to enable VoIP communicationsthrough the serial communication interface 1108A. For example, a USBvoice handset of an Internet-enabled phone 1102B may be configured tocommunicate with a router in the telematics device 1106 and establish aVoIP connection with a phone call recipient through a modem connectionof the device 1106. In a like manner, VoIP communications may bereceived by the telematics device 1106 from a caller outside of thevehicle 1101 and forwarded to a user employing a cellular phone 1102A inthe vehicle 1101, for example.

It can be seen that the capability for such VoIP or telephonycommunications may be provided through the existing Internet or networkconnection of the telematics device 1106 (e.g., modem connection) andpower supplied by the vehicle 1101 in which the telematics device 1104is installed. In certain embodiments, functions normally performed bythe microphone or audio speaker of an access device 1102 may be routedto functionally analogous components within the vehicle 1101. Forexample, a user may employ a wireless phone 1102A to place atelephony-enabled call through the telematics device 1106, and may useaudio speakers within the vehicle 1101 to listen to the recipient of thecall. Where appropriate and operationally possible, various functions ofthe access devices 1102 may be assigned to or performed by functionallyanalogous devices or components in the vehicle 1101, or by other devicesor peripherals connected to the telematics device 1106.

In various embodiments, telephone communications may be forwarded orrouted through and by the telematics device 1106 to the access device1102 (e.g., a wireless phone 1102A). In such embodiments, thecommunication capability of the telematics device 1106 can place,connect, and/or terminate telephone calls, and the access device 1102can be configured to operate as a “dumb” terminal for receivingtelephone communications. For example, a telephone communication may befacilitated by using a voice channel in the telematics device 1106 whichsends the communications back to a voice handset functioning as a dumbterminal. Also, the telematics device 1106 may leverage the antenna,speakers, or other devices in the vehicle 1101 to assist withtransmitting and/or receiving such communications.

The benefits of enabling and facilitating VoIP communications throughthe telematics device 1106 can be appreciated especially in thosesituations in which a user does not have access to a separate cellularphone 1102A, for example, or otherwise cannot establish communicationsoutside of the vehicle 1101 independently of the operation of thetelematics device 1106. Using an existing access device 1102 of a userrealizes the benefits of using prestored or previously known informationassociated with the device 1102 or the user (e.g., others already knowthe user's telephone number, phone numbers are stored in the telephone,etc.).

In various embodiments, the telematics device 1106 may be configured totransmit position location information (e.g., GPS data) to one or moreof the access devices 1102, including access devices 1102 with little orno existing position location functions. In certain embodiments, theaccess device 1102 (e.g., a wireless phone 1102A) may be operativelyassociated with a position location transceiver device 1122, which iscapable of receiving and processing communicated position location data.The position location device 1122 may be embodied as a module or chipthat can be operatively connected to the access device 1102 andconfigured to function as both a GPS receiver (i.e., for receivingposition location information from the telematics device 1104) and ashort range wireless transceiver (i.e., for enabling communications suchas “Bluetooth” transmissions with the access device 1102). The positionlocation device 1122 may be configured to interact with a suitablenavigation software application, for example, that can be downloaded andstored on the access device 1102 to process position location datacommunicated by the position location device 1122.

It can be seen that the access device 1102 may be effectively convertedinto a personal navigation device (“PND”) 1102T for the user. In certainembodiments, the PND 1102T may include one or more maps or othergeographical representations stored thereon to provide turn-by-turnnavigational functionality for a user. Such maps and geographicalrepresentations may be downloaded and stored on the PND 1102T through anetwork connection with the telematics device 1106, for example, or byretrieving information stored on a secure digital (“SD”) card. In oneexample of its operation, the PND 1102T may receive position locationdata communicated by the telematics device 1106, for example, and/orfrom another source of position location data, via the position locationdevice 1102T. In connection with the navigation software application,and possibly one or more maps stored on the PND 1102T, the PND 1102T mayemploy a speaker phone capability to announce turn-by-turn navigationaldirections to a user in the vehicle 1101 (e.g., “turn right in 500yards”, “turn right now”, etc.).

In various embodiments, one or more types of access devices 1102 can beconfigured to work in cooperation with the telematics device 1106 toperform various functions in association with different operationalfeatures of the vehicle 1101. For example, a smart phone 1102C may beconfigured with a software application that allows a user to direct thetelematics device 1106 to open or close the windows of the vehicle 1101;to lock or unlock the vehicle 1101; and/or, to initiate ignition on oroff for the vehicle 1101. As described above, commands communicated fromthe access device 1102 to the telematics device 1106 may be effectedthrough the short range wireless interface 1108B, for example. In suchembodiments, it can be seen that the access device 1102 initiatescommunication with the telematics device 1106 to issue commandsregarding operations or functions to be performed by the vehicle 1101.

Examples of other operations or functions of the vehicle 1101 that canbe performed include, without limitation: turn on or off an airconditioning system; initiate or stop a panic alarm; turn on or offinterior or exterior lights; perform functions that might otherwise beprovided in association with a remote key device for the vehicle 1101,such as remotely turning the vehicle 1101 engine on or off; turn on oroff electric seat warmers, window defrosters, or other creature comfortsystems; and/or, detect vehicle settings, such as what transmission gearis currently selected for the vehicle 1101.

In another example, an alarm system 1104K installed in the vehicle 1101may be operated (as a sensor 1104K, for example) by using the accessdevice 1102 to communicate with the telematics device 1106 to issuecommands that arm, disarm, activate, deactivate, or perform otherfunctions for the alarm system 1104K. In addition, the access device1102 working in operative connection with the alarm system 1104K can beconfigured to communicate or display status information such as whetherthe alarm system 1104K is currently armed or disarmed, activated or notactivated. The alarm system 1104K may also be configured with one ormore sensors (e.g., infrared, sonar, optical sensors, etc.) configuredto detect the presence or absence of a human, animal or other object ororganism in the vehicle 1101, such as a human intruder waiting tohighjack the vehicle 1101 once the owner returns and enters the vehicle1101, for example. The alarm system 1104K may be configured tocommunicate information indicative of the presence or absence of suchorganisms or objects to the access device 1102, for example, to alert auser of their presence or absence.

It can be appreciated that communications between the access device 1102and the telematics device 1106 may be encoded, secured, and/or verifiedon a one-way or two-way basis to promote ensuring that communicationsare valid. In addition, applications executed by the access device 1102may be password-protected to restrict access to only certified users. Incertain embodiments, the access device 1102 or the telematics device1106 may automatically initiate a verification check once the devices1102, 1106 are sufficiently close in proximity to initiate effectiveshort range wireless communications. The verification check may includecomparing an identification number, security device, or token of theaccess device 1102 against an identification number, security device ortoken of the telematics device 1106 to confirm that the user ispermitted to direct the features or functions of the vehicle 1101.

In one example of the operation and use of the access device 1102, asoftware application may be provided in association with the device 1102that directs the vehicle 1101 to start or stop automatically everymorning at a predetermined time on one or more predetermined days (e.g.,business days such as Monday through Friday). In addition, thetelematics device 1106 may be configured to initiate communications withthe access device 1102 after a function has been started or completed.For example, once the access device 1102 communicates with thetelematics device 1106 to start the vehicle 1101 in the morning, thetelematics device 1106 may return a communication to the access device1102 to confirm that the engine of the vehicle 1101 has been started.The telematics device 1106 may also initiate such confirmationcommunications through its own wireless modem or other networkconnection.

In various embodiments, the access device 1102 may be employed toretrieve current or historical data or other information stored by thetelematics device 1106. Such data may include, for example, miles pergallon information or a maximum speed achieved within a given timeperiod. In another example, the telematics device 1106 may be configuredto permit a user to download a histogram for the most recent trip takenfor a vehicle, including a record (e.g., histogram) of every speed thathas been attained by the vehicle in the last day, week, month, year, orother time period. In general, any information or data regarding anoperational feature, function, or reported malfunction that can beretrieved or stored by the telematics device 1106 can be communicated tothe access device 1102. Data or information retrieved from thetelematics device 1106 may be stored and/or displayed on the accessdevice 1102. It can be seen that the access device 1102 may be employedas a diagnostic scan tool, for example, in association with receiving,storing, and/or displaying data communicated by the telematics device1106.

In various embodiments, the access device 1102 may include a generalpurpose analog or digital I/O peripheral connection module 1102Ustructured for serial communications (e.g., through DB9, DB25 or USBcables) or parallel data communication. For example, the connectionmodule 1102U may be embodied as a set of screw terminals that allow auser to employ a variety of different kinds of cables, wires, terminals,or other connectors to connect a system, device or appliance to thetelematics device 1106. The connection module 1102U thus enables avariety of custom analog or digital applications, devices or systems tobe connected for communication of data, information and/or signals withthe telematics device 1106.

In various embodiments, the access device 1102 may be embodied as amessage display terminal or mobile data terminal (“MDT”) 1102V which isconfigured to receive and display data communicated from the telematicsdevice 1106. The MDT 1102V may be a screen display, for example,associated with a telephone, a PDA, a laptop, or another type of accessdevice 1102 having a graphical component. In certain embodiments, theMDT 1102V may be a hardware device which is a one-way display, forexample. The MDT 1102V may be electroluminescent and/or include an LCDdisplay.

In various embodiments, a first access device 1102 may serve as anintermediary for communication of data or information to a second accessdevice 1102 or other access devices 1102. For example, an LCD display1102I connected to the telematics device 1106 may be configured to sendsubstantially identical display information for presentation on thesmart phone 1102C of a user, wherein the smart phone 1102C can beconfigured to receive the display information from the LCD display1102I.

The access device 1102 and telematics device 1106 may also be configuredto enable access through the wireless modem or network communicationconnection of the telematics device 1106, such as to retrieve diagnosticinformation from a website or web server for display to a user, forexample. It can be seen that such embodiments effectively couple a shortrange wireless communication 1108B between the devices 1102, 1106 with anetwork medium connection (e.g., Internet or intranet connection)initiated by the telematics device 1106.

In various embodiments, the telematics device 1106 may be configured forcommunication with one or more sensors 1104 installed on, within, or inassociation with the vehicle 1101. For example, the sensors 1104 mayinclude, without limitation, pressure transducers 1104A, electricalswitches 1104B, mechanical switches 1104C, magnetic switches 1104D,optical sensors 1104E, light detection devices 1104F, sonic detectiondevices 1104G, sonar systems 1104H, radar systems 1104I, proximitysensors 1104J (e.g., for promoting collision avoidance and/or obstacleavoidance), alarm systems 1104K, infrared sensors 1104L, temperaturesensors 1104M, air detection sensors 1104N (e.g., for monitoringtail-pipe emissions), or weight measurement devices 1104O. As with theaccess devices 1102 described above, the sensors 1104 and the telematicsdevice 1106 may be configured for short range wireless communication1108B, for example, to exchange data or other information. Thetelematics device 1106 may be configured to trigger an actionautomatically in connection with operation of the sensors 1104. Suchtriggered actions may include, for example, one or more of storing data,communicating data, notifying a user of an event (e.g., triggering analarm), and/or issuing a command or instructions to another device orsystem.

For example, a temperature sensor 1104M may be placed in a refrigeratedtruck 1101 to detect temperature in the storage portion of the truck1101. Temperature data may collected, stored, and/or analyzed atdifferent times or trip milestones for the truck 1101 throughout itstrip to ensure that stored food products, for example, do not thaw,spoil or become susceptible to salmonella, bacteria, or other pathogens.In operation, temperature data can be detected by the temperature sensor1104M and communicated to the telematics device 1106. The telematicsdevice 1106 may store or report the temperature data for furtherprocessing by the driver, owner and/or fleet manager for the truck 1101.If the temperature data are outside of a predetermined acceptable rangeor limit, for example, then an alert or other notification can begenerated to communicate the temperature condition in the storage areaof the truck 1101. For example, a food carrier may identify a problem ifthe refrigerator in the truck 1101 is normally at 20 degrees and thenrises to 30 degrees. In this example, the food has not yet spoiled, andthere may be sufficient time to send another truck to rendezvous withthe first truck 1101 and exchange the truckload.

In another example, the vehicle 1101 can be provided with a powertake-off (“PTO”) sensor 1104P to detect activation, engagement or otheruse of a variety of PTO implements. For example, the PTO sensor 1104Pmay be attached to drill bits, winches, cranes, lifts, shafts, geardrives, spades, buckets, cutting implements, digging implements,earth-moving implements, boring implements, mowers, high-rangers ormechanical arms, dumping implements, mixing implements, fire containmentor extinguishing equipment (e.g., water hoses on a fire truck), and/orany other device or system that at least partly employs PTO power tofunction. In general, any component of a vehicle 1101 that derives ortakes-off mechanical power from a main shaft of the vehicle 1101 can beconsidered a PTO implement. For example, a tractor may be used to mowtracts of grasslands by engaging a PTO shaft to activate the mowercutting blades. The engine of a car may be used, for example, to operatea winch to tow a boat behind the car. The PTO sensor 1104P may detectand communicate data indicative of when the PTO implement is activated,deactivated, and/or operating at less or more than a nominal level. ThePTO sensor 1104P may also be configured to detect operating conditionsof the PTO implement, such as speed of rotation, duration of use, timeof use, and/or location of use, among others.

It can be seen that the various sensors 1104 described herein may beused to detect unauthorized vehicle 1101 access or use. For example,suppose a tractor owned by a utility company is equipped with a mowerimplement designed for mowing grass and is also equipped with the PTOsensor 1104P. The utility company may detect unauthorized use of themower if the PTO sensor 1104P senses a shaft turning at a time outsideof regular business hours, for example, or at a location not scheduledfor mowing activity (e.g., the home of an employee). The PTO sensor1104P may also be associated with operator identification, such thatsome operators may be authorized to use certain equipment but not otherequipment. For example, driver A may be qualified to drive the vehicle1101 and use a PTO implement, but driver B may be qualified only todrive the vehicle 1101. Thus, a notification of PTO activation providedby the PTO sensor 1104P through the telematics device 1106 may indicatethat an operator has improperly engaged a PTO implement.

In another example, a sonic detector 1104G may be configured to monitorcargo in a container or other storage area of a vehicle 1101. The sonicdetector 1104G may be configured to monitor whether load shifting isoccurring in a pallet of boxes on a truck. In operation, the sonicdetector 1104G may be configured to periodically or repeatedly transmitsound waves to the cargo, and receive reflected sound waves therefrom,to determine if the mass of the cargo has shifted in the storage area.An excessive amount of shift may be reported to the cargo transporter,for example, through communication of the shift indication data from thesonic detector 1104G through the telematics device 1106.

In another example, a school bus 1101 may employ yellow or red flashers,for example, to notify other drivers on the road that students arepreparing to board or exit the bus 1101. An optical sensor 1104E may beemployed on the bus 1101 to detect whether or not the bus 1101 operatorhas properly engaged the flashers at a stop. For example, the telematicsdevice 1106 may detect when the bus 1101 is in park with the enginerunning, or may check GPS data to confirm that the bus 1101 is at ornear a scheduled stop. In association with these detected conditions,the optical sensor 1104E may report data to the telematics device 1106indicative of whether or not the flashers of the bus 1101 have also beenengaged.

Other embodiments are also within the scope of the invention. Inparticular, hardware architectures other than that described above canbe used for the telematics device. For example, the ARM7 microprocessorused to run the appliance's firmware could be contained within the GPSmodule. Or a different microprocessor may be used. Similarly, serialprotocols other than I²C can be used to communicate with the peripheraldevices. These may include USB, CAN, RS485, and/or SPI, for example,among others.

Web pages used to display the data can take many different forms, as canthe manner in which the data are displayed, the nature and format of thedata, and the computer code used to generate the web pages. In addition,web pages may also be formatted using standard wireless access protocols(WAP) so that they can be accessed using wireless devices such ascellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and relateddevices. In addition, these devices can display text messages sent usingthe above-described system. In still other embodiments, theabove-described system is used to locate vehicle or things other thancars and trucks, such as industrial equipment or shipping containers.

In general, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatsome of the embodiments as described hereinabove may be implemented inmany different embodiments of software, firmware, and hardware in theentities illustrated in the Figures. The actual software code orspecialized control hardware used to implement some of the presentembodiments is not limiting of the present invention. Thus, theoperation and behavior of the embodiments are described without specificreference to the actual software code or specialized hardwarecomponents. The absence of such specific references is feasible becauseit is clearly understood that artisans of ordinary skill would be ableto design software and control hardware to implement the embodiments ofthe present invention based on the description herein with only areasonable effort and without undue experimentation.

Moreover, the processes associated with some of the present embodimentsmay be executed by programmable equipment, such as computers. Softwarethat may cause programmable equipment to execute the processes may bestored in any storage device, such as, for example, a computer system(non-volatile) memory, an optical disk, magnetic tape, or magnetic disk.Furthermore, some of the processes may be programmed when the computersystem is manufactured or via a computer-readable medium at a laterdate. Such a medium may include any of the forms listed above withrespect to storage devices and may further include, for example, acarrier wave modulated, or otherwise manipulated, to convey instructionsthat can be read, demodulated/decoded and executed by a computer.

It can be appreciated, for example, that some process aspects describedherein may be performed, in certain embodiments, using instructionsstored on a computer-readable medium or media that direct a computersystem to perform the process aspects. A computer-readable medium caninclude, for example, memory devices such as diskettes, compact discs ofboth read-only and read/write varieties, optical disk drives, and harddisk drives. A computer-readable medium can also include memory storagethat can be physical, virtual, permanent, temporary, semi-permanentand/or semi-temporary. A computer-readable medium can further includeone or more data signals transmitted on one or more carrier waves.

A “computer” or “computer system” may be, for example, a wireless orwireline variety of a microcomputer, minicomputer, laptop, personal dataassistant (PDA), wireless e-mail device (e.g., BlackBerry), cellularphone, pager, processor, or any other programmable device, which devicesmay be capable of configuration for transmitting and receiving data overa network. Computer devices disclosed herein can include memory forstoring certain software applications used in obtaining, processing andcommunicating data. It can be appreciated that such memory can beinternal or external. The memory can also include any means for storingsoftware, including a hard disk, an optical disk, floppy disk, ROM (readonly memory), RAM (random access memory), PROM (programmable ROM),EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM), and other computer-readable media.

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of theembodiments of the present invention have been simplified to illustrateelements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the presentinvention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that these and otherelements may be desirable. However, because such elements are well knownin the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding ofthe present invention, a discussion of such elements is not providedherein.

In certain embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, asingle component can be replaced by multiple components, and multiplecomponents replaced by a single component, to perform a given functionor functions. Except where such substitution would not be operative topractice embodiments of the present invention, such substitution iswithin the scope of the present invention.

The foregoing description refers to the accompanying drawings thatillustrate certain exemplary embodiments of the invention. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that other embodiments of the invention arepossible and modifications may be made to the embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, theexamples and illustrations presented in the foregoing detaileddescription are not necessarily meant to limit the present invention.Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

1. A telematics system comprising: a telematics device comprising acontroller, a diagnostic system, communicating with the controller,configured to receive diagnostic information from a host vehicle, aposition-locating system, communicating with the controller, configuredto determine location information of the host vehicle, a wirelesstransceiver, communicating with the controller, configured to transmitand receive information through a wireless network to and from at leastone Internet-accessible website, at least one communication interfaceoperatively associated with the controller, the communication interfaceincluding at least a short range wireless interface, and the telematicsdevice being configured to communicate with at least one access deviceother than the diagnostic system and the position-locating system of thetelematics device, wherein the communication interface is configured touniversally interface with a plurality of access devices.
 2. Thetelematics system of claim 1, wherein the communication interfaceincludes at least one of a serial communication interface or a parallelcommunication interface.
 3. The telematics system of claim 1, whereinthe access device includes at least one of a telephone, wireline phone,cellular phone, Internet-enabled phone, smart phone, camera, personalcomputer system, laptop, personal digital assistant, pager, display,breathalyzer, in-vehicle video capture device, audio capture device,microphone input, signature pad, active RFID scanner, passive RFIDscanner, active and passive RFID scanner, access point for wirelesscommunications, wireless USB and ultra-wide-band hub devices, cardswipe, keypad, biometric reader, or a barcode reader.
 4. The telematicssystem of claim 1, further comprising the telematics device beingconfigured for facilitating voice-over-Internet-protocol communicationswith the access device.
 5. The telematics system of claim 4, furthercomprising the telematics device being configured for facilitating thevoice-over-Internet-protocol communications with the access devicethrough the short range wireless interface.
 6. The telematics system ofclaim 4, wherein the communications interface further comprises a serialcommunication interface, and further comprising the telematics devicebeing configured for facilitating voice-over-Internet-protocolcommunications with the access device through the serial communicationinterface.
 7. The telematics system of claim 4, wherein thevoice-over-Internet-protocol communications are powered at least in partthrough a power supply of the host vehicle.
 8. The telematics system ofclaim 4, further comprising the telematics device being configured forplacing, connecting, or terminating a telephone call, and the accessdevice being configured as a dumb terminal for receiving the telephonecall.
 9. The telematics system of claim 1, further comprising thetelematics device being configured to use at least one of an antenna orspeaker of the host vehicle to assist with transmitting or receivingtelephone communications.
 10. The telematics system of claim 1, furthercomprising the telematics device being configured to transmit positionlocation information to the access device.
 11. The telematics system ofclaim 10, wherein the access device includes no existing positionlocation functions.
 12. The telematics system of claim 10, wherein theaccess device comprises a personal navigation device.
 13. The telematicssystem of claim 12, further comprising the personal navigation devicebeing configured to provide turn-by-turn navigation directions.
 14. Thetelematics system of claim 13, wherein the personal navigation deviceincludes a speaker phone for announcing the turn-by-turn navigationdirections.
 15. The telematics system of claim 12, further comprisingthe personal navigation device having at least one map or geographicalrepresentation stored thereon.
 16. The telematics system of claim 1,further comprising the telematics device being configured for receivingan instruction from the access device to direct the host vehicle toperform a function.
 17. The telematics system of claim 16, wherein thefunction performed by the host vehicle includes at least one of: open orclose a window of the vehicle, lock or unlock the vehicle, initiateignition on or off for the vehicle, initiate remote engine ignition onor off for the vehicle, turn on or off an air conditioning system of thevehicle, initiate or stop a panic alarm for the vehicle, turn on or offinterior or exterior lights of the vehicle, perform a remote key devicefunction for the vehicle, turn on or off an electric seat warmer of thevehicle, turn on or off a window defroster of the vehicle, arm or disarman alarm system of the vehicle, or activate or deactivate an alarmsystem of the vehicle.
 18. The telematics system of claim 1, furthercomprising the telematics device being configured to encode, secure, orverify at least one communication with the access device.
 19. Thetelematics system of claim 1, wherein the verification includescomparing an identification number, security device, or token of theaccess device against an identification number, security device or tokenof the telematics device.
 20. The telematics system of claim 1, furthercomprising the telematics device being configured to automaticallyinitiate a verification check once the access device is sufficientlyclose in proximity to the telematics device to initiate an effectiveshort range wireless communication.
 21. The telematics system of claim1, further comprising the telematics device being configured to start orstop the host vehicle automatically at a predetermined time uponreceiving a command from the access device.
 22. The telematics system ofclaim 21, further comprising the telematics device being configured toreturn a communication to the access device through the short rangewireless interface to confirm that the vehicle has been started orstopped.
 23. The telematics system of claim 1, further comprising theaccess device being configured to retrieve current data or historicaldata stored by or in the telematics device.
 24. The telematics system ofclaim 23, wherein the stored data comprises at least one of miles pergallon information, maximum speed achieved within a given time periodinformation, a histogram for the most recent trip taken for the vehicle,a record of every speed attained by the host vehicle in a predeterminedtime period.
 25. The telematics system of claim 1, wherein the accessdevice further comprises a peripheral connection module.
 26. Thetelematics system of claim 25, wherein the peripheral connection moduleincludes a general purpose analog or digital I/O peripheral connectionmodule.
 27. The telematics system of claim 1, wherein the access deviceincludes a message display terminal or mobile data terminal configuredto receive and display data communicated from the telematics device. 28.The telematics system of claim 1, further comprising a first accessdevice configured to serve as an intermediary for communication of dataor information to at least a second access device.
 29. The telematicssystem of claim 1, wherein the access device includes an originalequipment manufacturer component.
 30. The telematics system of claim 1,wherein the access device includes an after market component.
 31. Atelematics system comprising: a telematics device comprising acontroller, a diagnostic system, communicating with the controller,configured to receive diagnostic information from a host vehicle, aposition-locating system, communicating with the controller, configuredto determine location information of the host vehicle, a wirelesstransceiver, communicating with the controller, configured to transmitand receive information through a wireless network to and from at leastone Internet-accessible website, at least one communication interfaceoperatively associated with the controller, the communication interfaceincluding at least a short range wireless interface, and the telematicsdevice being configured to communicate with at least one sensor otherthan the diagnostic system and the position-locating system, wherein thecommunication interface is configured to universally interface with aplurality of sensors.
 32. The telematics system of claim 31, wherein thecommunication interface includes at least one of a serial communicationinterface or a parallel communication interface.
 33. The telematicssystem of claim 31, wherein the sensor includes at least one of apressure transducer, an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, amagnetic switch, an optical sensor, a light detection device, a sonicdetection device, a sonar system, a radar systems, an infrared sensors,a temperature sensor, a weight measurement device, an air detectionsensor, a proximity sensor, or an alarm system.
 34. The telematicssystem of claim 31, further comprising the telematics device beingconfigured to trigger an action automatically in connection withoperation of the sensor.
 35. The telematics system of claim 31, whereinthe sensor comprises a temperature sensor positioned in a storageportion of the host vehicle.
 36. The telematics system of claim 35,further comprising the sensor being configured to communicatetemperature data to the telematics device.
 37. The telematics system ofclaim 36, further comprising the telematics device being configured tocommunicate a notification if the temperature data are outside of apredetermined acceptable range for the temperature of the storageportion of the vehicle.
 38. The telematics system of claim 31, whereinthe sensor further comprises a power take-off sensor configured tocommunicate data associated with operation of a power take-offimplement.
 39. The telematics system of claim 38, wherein thecommunicated power take-off data are indicative of at least one ofactivation, deactivation, or operation at less than or more than anominal level for the power take-off implement.
 40. The telematicssystem of claim 38, wherein the power take-off implement includes atleast one of a drill bit, winch, crane, lift, shaft, gear drive, spade,bucket, digging implement, earth-moving implement, cutting implement,boring implement, mower, high-ranger, mechanical arm, dumping implement,mixing implement, fire containment equipment, or fire extinguishingequipment.
 41. The telematics system of claim 38, wherein the operationof the power take-off implement includes at least one of a speed ofrotation, duration of use, time of use, or location of use.
 42. Thetelematics system of claim 38, further comprising the sensor beingconfigured to detect unauthorized use of the host vehicle based onoperation of the power take-off implement.
 43. The telematics system ofclaim 31, wherein the sensor further comprises a sonic detectorconfigured to monitor cargo in a storage area of the host vehicle. 44.The telematics system of claim 31, wherein the sensor further comprisesan optical sensor configured to detect a flashing light.
 45. Thetelematics system of claim 44, wherein the host vehicle comprises aschool bus.
 46. The telematics system of claim 31, wherein the sensorincludes an original equipment manufacturer component.
 47. Thetelematics system of claim 31, wherein the sensor includes an aftermarket sensor.
 48. The telematics system of claim 31, wherein the sensorincludes an alarm system configured to detect the presence or absence ofat least one of a human, animal, or object in the vehicle.
 49. Thetelematics system of claim 48, wherein the alarm system is furtherconfigured to report the presence or absence of at least one of a human,animal, or object in the vehicle to the access device.
 50. Thetelematics system of claim 31, wherein the sensor includes an alarmsystem configured to communicate information indicative of the status ofthe alarm system to the access device, the status information includingat least one of whether the alarm system is currently armed or disarmedor whether the alarm system is currently activated or not activated.